8 things your electrician wants you to know

When something goes wrong with the power, you need to call a domestic electrician in Melbourne.

From simple to complex electrical repairs, safety is a number one priority for electrical repairs and installations.

Of course, you don’t need us to tell you that electricity is dangerous – however, there are many other facets of electrical repairs and safety that you might not know.

And that’s what today’s article from our local electricians is all about!

8 things our electricians want you to know

#1: Electrical warning signs matter!

Electrical warnings don’t happen randomly – in fact, in most cases, you’ll notice (in hindsight) that the signs were already there.

And that’s why you should never ignore them!

We aren’t just talking about warning lights, either – warning signs that something is wrong in your electrical system include abnormal sights and sounds like:

• Burnt smells
• Hot outlets
• Popping sounds
• Flickering lights
• Abnormally high bills
• Frequent blackouts

Each of these aren’t just annoying – they’re also warning signs that indicate something’s wrong.

These are electrical warnings that need to be taken seriously. The moment you detect them, you may need to turn off the main power source immediately or arrange to replace affected electrical fixtures with new ones.

#2: Cheap power items are not worth it

You save a couple of dollars upfront – however, the risk of faults and other problems is just too high!

Powerboards, sockets and receptacles deal with high voltages, currents and electrical loads. 

While we aren’t saying that you need to buy the most expensive item on the market, we are saying that price shouldn’t be the only thing you look for.

Can you really trust cheap cables, power strips and extension cords to be safe and to go the distance? Trust us – you can’t put a dollar value on safety.

#3: Never cut electrical wires yourself

Many DIY electrical projects might see you needing to cut and solder your own electrical wires.

One problem many DIY-ers make is cutting their electrical wires too short – this may result in an unsecured wire connection and can put your safety at risk.

This is just one of the reasons we advocate against DIY electrical work – it’s also why calling an experienced Melbourne electrician is the best course of action anytime complex electrical work needs to be completed around your home.

#4: Use only properly-made protective gear

Some DIYers use ordinary rubber gloves and other basic protective gear to keep themselves safe while they work on their projects.

We aren’t going to deny that these are better than nothing when it comes to insulating the wearer against heat and electricity. However, they don’t hold a candle to proper protective gear. 

Let’s look at your average pair of dishwashing gloves – sure, they’re rubber, but they’re also thin, and often made of lower-quality rubber to reduce down the cost of manufacturing, compromising their protective quality.

This is why it is important to choose a legitimate safety gear with good quality insulation of your protective gear (not that you should be DIY-ing in the first place!)

#5: Dry your hands before touching any electrical equipment or appliances

Never try to combine water and electricity – it should go without saying that this is extremely dangerous!

Water is a conductor of electricity, and if the electrical circuit gets wet, it increases the flow of current, as well as allowing the electricity to spread via the water. Not only that, but it may also lead to short circuit and electric shock.

And it isn’t just puddles that are a risk – even wet hands can spell danger.

#6: Avoid DIY electrical work

While there are some minor electrical jobs you can do on your own (such as changing a lightbulb), the vast majority of electrical repairs and upgrades are best left in the hands of a professional electrician.

We know how eager you can be when taking on projects like DIY electrical wiring in Australia, especially when the new year rolls round.

However, unless you’re a licenced electrical professional yourself, our local electrician advises against DIY work.

Not only can electrical work be complicated, but it also needs to adhere to Australia’s strict building codes. And the only way to get that is by calling on a professional.

#7: LED lighting is here to stay

Whether you’re moving into a new house or renovating an old home, good lighting is key to improving the mood and atmosphere.

And for that, you need to start with good light bulbs.

LEDs are taking the world by storm, and it’s little wonder – compared to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, LEDs are…

• Long-lived, lasting years longer than incandescents
• Considerably brighter than older bulbs
• Inherently more energy efficient – LEDs use up to 90% less power
• Cooler, emitting less heat (that’s why they’re more efficient)

Unfortunately, there are still people choosing sub-optimal lighting set-ups because they just aren’t aware of the points above!

Learn more about LED lights, and what makes them such a bright idea.

#8: Save the number of a 24-hour emergency electrician!

In case of any electrical emergency, installation and repairs, it is best to save the number of a domestic electrician in Melbourne who can assist you with the right fix.

After all, electrical emergencies can happen at any time – after work, on the weekend, public holidays, you name it.

That’s why it’s so important that you have someone who’s able to come in and fix the issue properly whenever it happens!

When it comes to electricity, you can’t afford to waste time looking for a sparkie, checking their services and ringing to see whether or not they service your area. No, you need someone who you know can help.

Briggs Electrical offers a true rapid-response emergency service 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Briggs Electrical is here to help with all of your electrical faults and emergencies

While there are many things you should know about your electricity, the most important one is this: electricity is a complicated matter. That’s why you need expert and licensed electricians to carry out any of your electrical work!

Our 24 hour emergency electricians address any electrical emergency that you have making sure that all your electrical fittings and appliances are right for the purpose.

The team at Briggs Electrical are experienced electricians with a background in domestic, commercial and emergency electrician work.

Each of our expert sparkies is:

• Licensed
• Qualified
• Registered

Our domestic and commercial electricians are available 24/7 and can be reached on 1300 300 222. For less urgent matters, you can lodge a job with us online.